DO NOT BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT
Mark 3:22-30

He expels demons with the help of the prince of demons ... How can Satan expel Satan? Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. vv. 22,23,29

It is a dangerous thing to speak against the ministry of a brother or sister and risk blaspheming the Holy Spirit. As David said concerning Saul, "I would not harm the Lord's Anointed" (1 Sm 26:23). Paul said during his trial before the Sanhedrin after he had insulted the high priest, "I did not know that he was the high priest. Indeed, Scripture has it, 'You shall not curse a prince of your people”’ (Acts 23:5).

PRACTICE THE LOVE OF JESUS

It is also not enough to have a powerful ministry or to practice power evangelization. The name of Jesus is powerless without the love of Jesus, without an understanding of the real meaning, the real person, the real God behind that name. The name is pronounced many ways in many languages, but Jesus himself can be understood by peoples of all races, cultures, and languages.

A HARD HEART IS DANGEROUS

Continuing to speak against a fellow Christian's ministry may become an “unforgivable sin.” Scripture says that we can be assured of the forgiveness of all sin, if we only confess them (1 In 1:9) and repent (Lk 24:47). It is when we are so hardened that we cannot repent that our sins become unforgivable (Heb 6:4-6). Apparently, when we begin criticizing other ministries with a hard heart, we are dangerously close to this sin! Likewise, we should not let forgiveness of sin become an excuse to prolong sin. As Sirach says, “Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin. Delay not your conversion to the Lord ...“ (Sir 5:5-8).

Are we overly critical of other ministries or other expressions of Christian faiths? Are we blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Does our lifestyle match our use of Jesus’ name in ministry, prayer, and deliverance? Finally, are we so confident of our forgiveness that we simply do not change? If so, do not delay: Change today!

John Michael Talbot